212 results found
The structural pretext that drove West Asia’s cycle of competition and proxy conflict is still in place without a clear solution in sight
An International conference on "Emerging Security Concerns in West Asia" was organised by ORF at its Rouse Avenue campus on November 21-22, 2007 in partnership with the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation of Germany.
India should worry over the claim of Ansar-ul-Tawhid ul-Hind, a terrorist organisation, that Anwar Bhatkal, one of their brethren and related to Riaz Bhatkal, the founder of Indian Mujahedeen, attained what they call martyrdom battling in Afghanistan. We also cannot ignore the claims of Maulana Salman Hussaini Nadvi that he would raise a force of 5,00,000 to support Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi.
To protect its strategic interests in the Gulf region, India is expanding its defence outreach
The recent missile attacks by Iran on Israel present a bleak outlook for security in the Middle East in the coming days
With Western actors preoccupied with the Ukrainian crisis, the Middle East may be heading towards a significant time of churn in 2023
The series of counterattacks between Israel and Syria over the last few days have rung alarm bells across West Asia. The events prove, thus far a rela
While India’s diplomatic and political outreach with West Asia has been a success story over the past decade, the geopolitics of technology has the potential to offer a challenge.
It may be too early to call it a ‘Middle Eastern Quad’, but the United States, India, Israel and UAE are in for greater cooperation and coordination in the region
In the conflict-ridden countries of West Asia, while everyone is hoping for the storm to pass before it destroys their already fragile economies, thos
Ties between Qatar and the three GCC members went downhill after uprisings in Arab countries that began in Tunisia, the beginning of the so-called “Arab Spring”.
A desire for nuclear weapons is an old aim in West Asia, which could materialise in the coming days due to weak non-proliferation norms
The stability of Oman offers an easier space for India to manoeuvre in.
Saudi Arabia's recent $1.5 billion grant to Pakistan re-affirms the depth of the relationship that the two countries share. It has also brought into focus their expanding defence ties and raised concerns about Pakistan's possible role in the Syrian civil war.
A fluid global security landscape does not alter the fundamentals of intelligence cooperation between India and its Gulf partners, but widens the rang
India’s tilt towards Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE is not a risk-free move.
In November 2022, Qatar will become the first state in West Asia and the Arab world to host the coveted FIFA football World Cup. Doha’s winning the hosting rights has brought the country—home to only 2.9 million people, more than eight out of every ten of whom are foreign workers—out of the shadow of its large, and more powerful regional neighbours such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This brief views thi
As the two key players have returned to the negotiating table, it seems that it has become even more difficult for them to see eye to eye
By bringing China and Russia into the region and by developing strategic partnerships with important players such as India, Riyadh is signalling its intent to reduce its dependence on the US. Mohammed bin Salman is looking at a policy of multi-alignment that affords greater strategic autonomy.
Iran has indicated that it is willing to call it quits, but will respond strongly if Israel retaliates
Doval’s Riyadh visit and I2U2’s steady progress demonstrate a nimble, pragmatic and business-like foreign policy.
The signing of the Accords has helped remove strategic obstacles for New Delhi and aided defence cooperation
Rather than pinning all hopes to mitigate regional tensions in West Asia on the Abraham accords, regional actors should establish new channels of comm
The Arab Spring taught everyone that democracy, transition and political movements are not a spectator sport, but require rigour, time, planning and c
Many in the Chinese strategic circles believe that although West Asia is significant for China, it should lay low and let US get embroiled in the regi
In the past, India has managed a successful balancing act in a tripolar West Asia. Now, the restructuring of West Asia’s geopolitical landscape has
By prioritising regional economic integration, the I2U2 Business Forum can serve as a strong foundation for a robust West Asian regional architecture
The I2U2 grouping could be a game-changer in the region as it provides a platform for all the member states to outline new areas of cooperation.
An unresolved and unaddressed Iran–Israel dynamic ultimately threatens any other regional normalisation
An attempt is being made to draw Damascus back into mainstream politics; however, the influence of foreign actors over the war-torn country will make
Realpolitik may have trumped the Biden administration’s rather vocal positions on principles in the region
With the India–US dynamic and bilateral strategic engagements with West Asian powers increasing significantly, direct policy outcomes will become mo
So far, Iran’s response to U.S. provocation has been rhetorical but President Rouhani has little room for manoeuvre
With Israel’s intended strategy in the aftermath of the 7/10 attacks, the conflict is all set to go well into 2024
With his killing, the US has entered an area of unknowns. Iran cannot be underestimated
Baghdad can figure in India’s energy calculations more significantly given the geopolitical developments in recent times.
Does Indian Foreign Policy towards West Asia have to be as fragmented as the region? Probably not. One could start by enunciating a few guidelines that are minimalist; that we are against religious extremism, toppling established states and condemning disproportionate use of force by Israel.
Amid changing narratives in West Asia, PM Modi has successfully de-hyphenated India's Israel and Palestine policy.
